Penrith and the Wests Tigers are reportedly on the verge of a player swap deal that will see local junior Zac Cini return to the foot of the Mountains.
Rising Panthers fullback Daine Laurie has already signed with the Tigers for 2022, but he could be at the club as early as next season if the swap deal goes ahead.
Channel Nine reports the arrangement could be finalised within days.
20-year-old Cini is an Australian schoolboy centre who played his junior football with Minchinbury.
The deal is set to boost both players’ chances of playing more first grade football in 2021 if it goes ahead.
Laurie is stuck behind Dylan Edwards at the Panthers and is likely to only be used as back-up next season.
Meanwhile the Panthers may find themselves in need of a centre next year should Brent Naden face time out of the game.
Naden was recently stood down by the NRL after returning a drug test that revealed he had cocaine in his system during the 2020 Grand Final.
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.